What Is CCTV?

CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television. CCTV is not television as we know it as the signals are not publicly broadcast but instead monitored privately for security purposes.

CCTV is labelled as “closed circuit” because the cameras are connected to a recorder by private coaxial cables or a wireless connection. This means the footage you record can only be viewed by you. Many people are still under the impression that CCTV means the need for special security monitors to be able to view the footage (which used to be only in black and white). CCTV is now much easier than that with the ability to view the (full colour) footage over the internet, from your television or even your smartphone.

What is CCTV Used For?

CCTV was originally designed to be used by banks and casinos looking to keep surveillance of their assets to they can catch out thieves and card counters! Now CCTV is more widely available as improvements in the technology have made CCTV equipment cheaper and more accessible. It’s now a myth that CCTV has to be expensive as budget options are available which are still capable of producing impressive results.The days of grainy CCTV footage are pretty much gone.

Some ways CCTV can be used include:

• To monitor expensive assets such as buildings and premises.
• In retail stores to keep an eye on the stock and deter and/or catch thieves.
• In busy public places like shopping high streets, city centres, outside bars and pubs.

For individuals CCTV can be used for:

• Monitoring your home for intruders or vandals.
• Keeping an eye on your car if it is regularly vandalised.
• Within the home to keep on eye on children, pets or any workmen who might be around when you are out.

The increased use of CCTV has been a cause of concern for many people, with statements such as “You’re caught on CCTV over 300 times per day”, being regularly passed around. Concerns for individual’s privacy is at the core of the debate so it’s worth knowing how the Data Protection Act applies to CCTV.

According to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), the UK is the leading user of CCTV. They say, “Such systems [CCTV] continue to enjoy general public support but they do involve intrusion into the lives of ordinary people as they go about their day to day business and can raise wider privacy concerns.We know from our research that the public expect CCTV to be used responsibly with proper safeguards in place.”

Images of individuals are safeguarded by the Data Protection Act (DPA) and so is any information about the individual which can be pulled from the footage. The ICO says this applies to information such as registration plates of vehicles. Businesses using CCTV should be wary of how they use CCTV in relation to the Data Protection Act.

For individuals private and household use of CCTV is not subject to the Data Protection Act, so if you plan on installing CCTV to protect your home then you don’t need to worry about the DPA.

Are you planning on using CCTV and need some help finding the right system for you? Go to SpyCameraCCTV.com to view our range of CCTV equipment or give one our experts a call on +44 (0)117 325 2470 or email info@spycameracctv.com and we can make some recommendations.